GOATER TARGETS THE BIG KICK-OFF

SHAUN GOATER could be back in action for Reading's opening league game of the season at home to newly-promoted Brighton and Hove Albion.

It was originally feared last season's leading scorer would miss the start of Royals' 2004/05 Coca-Cola Championship campaign after suffering a calf injury while on international duty with Bermuda at the end of last month.

But Reading FC physio Jon Fearn has now had a chance to look at Goater's injury first-hand after the striker returned to England and the Evening Post can confirm it is not as bad as was first thought.

Goater, who scored 14 goals last season, is struggling to make the club's pre-season tour of Sweden in little more than two weeks' time. But he could be in contention to face his former team-mates when Manchester City visit Madejski Stadium on Monday August 2.

Fearn said: "I saw him on Monday and it looks like the calf injury he sustained is more of a fatigue injury.

"The conditions he played in were horrendous. It was 100 degrees-plus and after seeing him I don't think it's as bad as was first predicted.

"I think he might be struggling to make the Sweden tour, but he might have an eye on the Manchester City match. He could then be ready for the start of the season. We'll start him on a running programme and see how it goes from there."

Meanwhile, Nicky Shorey is continuing to make good progress as he recovers from the foot infection that ruled him out of the final months of last season.

He did well on his fitness tests and will gradually step up his work-load in the hope that he will be ready to start the season.

Striker Nicky Forster underwent a minor procedure on his long-standing stomach injury, so the only other major concern for Reading is defender Steve Brown.

His knee injuries have taken their toll and he may have to hang up his boots.